Optima LX ($15,500) is powered by a 138-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and comes complete with air conditioning; cruise control; rear defroster: six-speaker AM/FM/CD stereo; eight-way manually adjustable driver's seat; power windows, mirrors and locks; front-seat side-impact airbags; four-wheel-disc brakes; and P205/60 all-season tires on 15-inch steel wheels. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, a four-speed automatic ($920) optional.

The LX V6 ($17,895) gets a 2.7-liter V6 rated at 170 horsepower. The automatic transmission is standard, along with woodgrain interior trim and P205/55 Michelin tires on 16-inch aluminum wheels.

The four-cylinder Optima EX ($18,095) adds a tilt-and-slide glass sunroof, electronic climate control, Infinity AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo, fog lights, HomeLink universal transmitter, heated outside mirrors, self-dimming inside mirror, remote keyless entry with alarm, eight-way power driver's seat, leather wrappers for the steering wheel and shift knob, and other appointments. It also comes with aluminum wheels, but they are 15-inch units wearing the base-level P205/60 tires. The four-speed automatic is the only transmission available.

The EX V6 ($19,495) comes with all the above: the 170-horsepower V6, 16-inch wheels and tires, and all the EX-level luxury goodies.

The list of factory options is short. Anti-lock brakes ($795) are available only with the V6. Leather seating ($1095) is offered only on the EX. Port-installed accessories include a CD changer ($375), carpeted floor mats ($85), and a rear spoiler ($220).

All Optimas come with Kia's 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and 5-year/60,000 mile basic warranty, plus a 5-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance plan.